Soil and water conference slated for ASU

The 22nd annual Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference and Expo at Arkansas State University will explore the industry’s latest issues and trends in conservation. This year’s event will take place on Jan. 29 at First National Bank Arena on the ASU campus. Producers from Arkansas and surrounding states are expected to attend.

“Another great line-up of speakers and vendors will present helpful information on soil and water conservation,” said Joe Massey, steering committee chair.

A wide array of vendors and agencies will have booths displaying their products and services at the expo. Also, individuals can get help with their Pipe Planner designs as Chris DeClerk of Delta Plastics will host a free, walk-in Pipe Planner clinic at the Expo.

Morning sessions include talks by the Greene County conservation partnership, the U.S. Geological Survey on their helicopter-based aquifer studies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on updates to the White River Control Plan, and the University of Arkansas on the new Northeast Rice Research & Extension Center.

Opportunities for producers related to peanut acreage expansion, on-farm solar, and several conservation initiatives will also be presented. The keynote lunch speaker, Dhu Thompson of Delta Plastics, will share his story of “Business Success Through Conservation.”

The afternoon session will again feature official announcements of the 2019 “Most Crop per Drop” irrigation yield contest winners (corn, rice, soy) and Mike Hamilton will moderate a panel of producers sharing their success stories in using drones.

A drawing for door prizes provided by P&R Surge Valves will be held at 3 p.m.

Registration opens at 7:30 a.m., and the conference begins at 8 a.m. To register online, one may follow the conference link, Astate.edu/ASWEC.